BarkRiver Ek Night Fighter

OwenM said:
Got my Nightfighter the other day. The knife will barely fit in the sheath, which screwed up the bead blast finish before even using it. Looking at the fit of the strap, I'd say the sheath was actually made for a different knife with a bigger guard, and narrower blade (fits my Blackjack #1-7 Classic Hunter perfectly, except the blade is about 1/4" too long for the sheath).
The knife itself had rust just ahead of the handle on one side, the entire blade is ground at an angle, the primary grind is uneven, as is the swedge, or top grind, being much deeper on one side. This is all cosmetic, and doesn't seem to interfere with use of the knife, which has a balance I like, comfortable handles, and decent blade geometry(a little better than the #1-7, which has never disappointed me).
Having never used A2, I'm ok with $50 for a chance to beat up a "new" steel, especially since I've got the Blackjack which I've been using for over 15 years and is very similar to compare it to, but am not happy with the lack of quality, and would have immediately sent it back if I'd paid full price.
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Mine arrived Friday or Saturday. The sheath is a little snug but not any worse than I would expect from a mass produced knife/sheath combo. The blade is ground perfectly except the swedge is apparently ground asymetrically. The cutting edge is straight. It only needed to have the edge polished to cut thin strips from a piece of paper. Handle is a little small for me. All in all a good knife for the money.
 
When the two knives were first offerred by AG, they were priced a lot higher. After some months, they showed up as a special and the price has held at that point. I would be suprised if there are many left.

The Stewarts and Blackjack had a pretty muddled history but I truly believe what happened is that you had a simple talented man that got over sponsered. Effingham collasped because of those managing, not the Stewarts.

Whatever happened at Marbles was probably more of the same, a corporation bleeding the talent of a simple man.
These knives from AG are probably part of that chapter. We see no handles or grinds of this type coming from Bark River at this point. I really think quality control problems was what sent the Stewarts back out on their own.

Stewart has confessed elsewhere to perpetuating misinformation that was given him at Effiingham. There is an interesting discussion over on KF between him and Maringer concerning the Vorpal sword. Stewart honestly thought everything was hunky dory, to go ahead. In further direct communication with Tom Maringer, the matter was settled and Stewart appeared to act honorably and agreed not to pursue the issue.

There were quality control issues with the Eks at Blackjack when production went overseas, again a management issue. There are some Effingham ground Eks being sold out now and when they are gone, they're gone. The true end to another chapter.

I can agree with both camps in this discussion, while keeping an open mind. I've a couple of older Blackjack fixed blades and they were superb value 10 years ago. I'm not unduly impressed with the Bark River stuff but they look like decent value. I do not have a niche for their current patterns. If dealers are willing to do preship inspection and discount seconds, I don't see an issue. They are 100% American made. I read that the leather work was shoddy but is improving, again an outsourcing issue.

I see the Stewarts as simple talented folk who got mislead through time and are trying to put the past behind them. Some will never forget and will read only what they want to see into the equation. Trademark and copyright issues are going to plague the whole market for eternity. It is not just the Ek heritage that has truly vanished.

Cheers

GC
 
Gary Ek is alive and well, staying out of the knife business. His mom still lives in Miami. And it seems to me that John's name has been dragged through the mud and put on ALL KINDS of knives that he would have never allowed.

I love seeing people pay high dollars on evilbay for alleged "Ek Knives"....made in Effingham, Richmond, etc.

It it wasn't made in Hamden CT or Miami FL....it's not a JOHN EK KNIFE. Period.

Gary made some pretty damn good ones after John died (10/15/1976, if you were wondering).

From what I understand -- Gary got screwed. But I only know his side of the story.

It's a shame that the name and trademark got away from him, however it happened.

And it AINT OVER yet.

Gary made ME an EK knife. He still has some original blanks from the Miami days. But he's just not interested in the business anymore.

It's a shame to see John Ek's name on a $50 knife.
 
I love the convex grind and the A2 steel. I have 3- Bark River knives:
Rogue Bowie, Mini, and the Upland Special.
 
I think Horseclover got it right and it seems that Mike was a lot more interested in making knives than doing the books. I am sure that if all my dealings were in the public record you could find people with bad things to say ,people make mistakes running a business especially in cases like Mike had where the board made the decisions and he took the heat.
I am planning on buying a Rogue Barkie when they next come out.

This is not my photo or knife but i thought some here would enjoy it.
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